A little something to start your day . . . or whenever you need to start over again.
The Deer’s Cry (I arise today)
I arise today through the strength of heaven
Light of sun, radiance of moon
Splendor of fire, speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea
Stability of earth, firmness of rock
I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me
God’s eye to look before me
God’s wisdom to guide me
God’s way to lie before me
God’s shield to protect me
From all who shall wish me ill
Afar and a-near
Alone and in a multitude
Against every cruel, merciless power
That may oppose my body and soul
Christ with me, Christ before me
Christ behind me, Christ in me
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
I arise today
Small Joys: seeing the wonderful amid the uncertainty, fear and the ordinary – like a teddy bear in the window.
Now and again I journal. With so much happening, and at the same time nothing much seeming to happen when you do the right thing and self-isolate, I headed a double page in my current journal and headed it Small Joys. Here are my first three:
My daughter, working from home along with two small boys to look after, decided it was the right time to finish a piece a cross stich she had laid aside approximately 15 years ago. For all kinds of reasons that still gives me a buzz of joy.
Tucked among the leaf litter in the garden was the tiny white skeleton of a garden skink – a lizard like head and a long minute backbone and a scatter of even more minute claws. So small, so perfect.
A piece of packing paper rescued from our yellow rubbish bin – hard to describe, but a piece of brown paper cut into a pattern that reminded me of an outdoor metal staircase, giving it flexibility beyond its original use. I might never use it, but it tapped my wonder button.
Why not start your own list of small joys.
May each of us be overtaken by God in the midst of little things. May we see in each and every little thing the fullness of God’s presence in our lives
Judith (judith @judithscully.com.au)
coronavirus-focused words, I’d like to offer something a little different, something prayerful, words that can take us through anxiety and fear and into moments of peace.